CONSTRUCTION logbooks of one of the area's most iconic sites are in the possession of the Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum.

A copy of complete records of the Urangan Pier's construction in 1915 has been donated to the Zephyr St museum by Hervey Bay's Moira Hansen, wife of former Federal Member for Wide Bay, Brendan Hansen, whose name appears on the government building in Main St.

Museum president John Andersen said Brendan's father, Percy Hansen - who was the overseer of the building of the pier - had recorded the day-to-day building progress, giving an insight into working conditions in Hervey Bay 99 years ago.

Mr Andersen's father was also the caretaker for the pier and had also signed the log book each day.

"Strangely enough my dad had also signed the history, day-to-day," Mr Andersen said.

"You can read what the weather was like on April 14, 1915, where the wind was blowing from, how many pylons they put in and how deep, and how many men were working on it.

"It's just a complete history of the whole thing."

Mr Andersen said the records, which were now digitised, bound and on display, added an exciting feature to the museum's current Urangan Pier exhibit.

The museum also has digitised harbour and marine records from the day the pier officially opened in 1917, four mini models of the pier, old pylons, air pumps used by the divers and a "very comprehensive" photographic record.

"So we've actually got a record of the pier from its construction, the harbour and marines section, right up until the day it closed as a commercial port," he said.

"It's a really unique record of the whole thing that will be displayed at the museum for the future."

The museum now has 21 historic buildings and 12,000 exhibits.

Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum

18 Zephyr St, Scarness. Open Friday- Saturday, 1-4.30pm. Sunday, 10.30am-4.30pm. Open every day on the school holidays

Go along on Sundays 1-3pm and help the volunteers as they demonstrate 100-year-old machines to shell corn, make rope and turn wood

Entry is $10 adults, $3 children

Pier facts

The pier was a former deepwater, cargo- handling facility, built to facilitate the export of sugar, timber and coal.

The length of the pier was originally 1107 metres. It was closed in 1985, and 239m of it was demolished. However, due to public outcry, 868m of the pier was left, and the land was handed to the Hervey Bay City Council.

Current construction works by Fraser Coast Regional Council includes the replacement of existing timber piles with new piles and installation of a cathodic protection system and associated refurbishment works. Construction is expected to be completed in 2015.